BANGOR – The Reverend Connie Huntley died peacefully Sept. 3, 2013, at a Bangor nursing home, after a long struggle with multiple health issues. Connie was born on Aug. 5, 1944, in Gardiner, the daughter of Lawrence and Mildred (Dort) Grover.
Connie was a long time member of the Unitarian Church of Bangor. Her passion for justice issues, and her strong voice for the oppressed were heard throughout Bangor as she lifted her support for victims of Domestic Violence through Spruce Run, her care and concern for those affected by HIV/Aids through her work with The Eastern Maine Aids Network, her support for the LBTG community through BAGLS, and her 35 years of work in the recovery community as a friend of Bill W. Along with several other welfare mothers, Connie fought for the right of welfare mothers to be accepted in and supported at the University of Maine in Orono.
Connie graduated from Colby High School in 1961, and the University of Maine at Orono in 1975. After many years as the Office manager for Dr. Leonard Levy, Connie answered a call to ministry and entered Bangor Theological Seminary where she earned her Master of Divinity Degree in 1996. She was ordained by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor in January 2006. She served as the Pastor of the First Universalist Church of Pittsfield until her retirement.
Connie is survived by her beloved partner, Dorna Thomas of Winterport; her sons, Wendell Skidgell and wife, Mary, of Melrose, Mass., and Patrick Skidgell of Bangor; brother, Morgan Grover of Pacific Palisades, Calif.; her beloved grandchildren, Jason, Jessica and Tori; and she will be greatly missed by her best friend, the Rev. Sue Davenport. Connie was predeceased by her parents; and two brothers, Donald and Patrick.
A celebration of Connie’s life will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Park Street Unitarian Universalist Church, 120 Park St., Bangor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Connie’s honor to Spruce Run, P.O. Box 653, Bangor, ME 04402; or to the Elevator Fund of the Park Street UUA Church, 120 Park St., Bangor, ME 04401. Messages of condolence and memories may be shared through www.hampdengilparick.com.
Reverend Constance R. Huntley
